Pivoting gooseneck

Abstract

A gooseneck for coiled tubing operations have a folding design to allow for a more compact design for storage and transport. The gooseneck may remain attached to the injector during transport, thereby decreasing the equipment required to move and set-up the coiled tubing equipment. The gooseneck includes a linkage mechanism for connecting a pair of support struts between the injector body and the tubing guide. The linkage allows the guide to follow a substantially parabolic path as it tracks the tubing from the reel to the injector.

1. An apparatus for guiding coiled tubing between a reel and injector comprising:
 (a) a first extension section having a proximal end and a distal end; and  
 (b) a mounting section having a first end and a second end, said first end  
 
     being hingedly attached to said injector, wherein said proximal end of the extension section is hingedly attached to the second end of said mounting section such that the first extension section can be folded in a plane substantially parallel to the mounting section. 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least an additional extension section having a first end and a second end, wherein said additional extension section is hingedly attached to said first extension section. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising two additional extension sections, each having a proximal end and a distal end and wherein said one of said additional extension sections is attached, at it's proximal end, to the distal end of the first extension section and wherein the other of said additional extension sections is attached, at it's proximal end, to the distal end of the first of said additional extension sections. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the additional extension sections are provided with a hinge mechanism at their proximal and distal ends. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one additional extension section can be folded in a plane perpendicular to the mounting section. 
   
   
     6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting section is rotatably attached to the injector. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator for moving the first extension section from an extended position to a folded position. 
   
   
     8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the mounting section is rotatably attached to the injector. 
   
   
     9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is transported attached to the injector. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the injector and apparatus conform to standard transportation size limits. 
   
   
     11. An apparatus for guiding coiled tubing between a reel and an injector comprising:
 a) a mounting section having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of the mounting section rotatably mounted to the injector;  
 b) a first extension section having a proximal and distal end, wherein said proximal end is hingedly attached to the distal end of said mounting section such that the first extension section can be folded in a plane substantially parallel to the mounting section;  
 c) a second extension section having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is hingedly attached to the distal end of said first extension section; and  
 d) a third extension section having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is hingedly attached to the distal end of said second extension section.  
 
   
   
     12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first, second and third extension sections are hinged to fold in a plane substantially parallel to a path traveled by the coiled tubing. 
   
   
     13. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first second and third extensions can move between a fully extended position, wherein the extensions are positioned in an end to end manner, and a fully compacted position, wherein the extensions are positioned in a side-by-side arrangement. 
   
   
     14. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is transported attached to the injector. 
   
   
     15. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus and injector conform to standard transportation size limits.